SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the month of October, 2004 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES COMPANY LIMITED (Translation of registrant's name into English) Baiyun International Airport Guangzhou, People's Republic of China (Address of principal executive offices) (Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.) Form 20-F. X Form 40-F. ------- ------- (Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.) Yes. No. X ------- ------- (If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________.) China Southern Airlines Company Limited (the "Company") on October 27, 2004 published in local newspapers in Hong Kong an announcement in Chinese and English, respectively, concerning the Company's third quarterly report of 2004. A copy of the English announcement is included in this Form 6-K of the Company. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for the content of this announcement, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the content of this announcement. (CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES COMPANY LIMITED LOGO) CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES COMPANY LIMITED (a joint stock limited company incorporated in the People's Republic of China with limited liability) (STOCK CODE: 1055) THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT OF 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY The unaudited financial statements of the Company for the Third Quarterly Report were prepared in accordance with the PRC GAAP. This announcement is made by the Company pursuant to Rule 13.09 of the Listing Rules. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE This announcement is made by China Southern Airlines Company Limited (the "Company") pursuant to Rule 13.09 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules"). The Directors of the Company collectively and individually warrant that the information set out in this report does not contain any misrepresentation, misleading statement or material omission; and jointly and severally accept full responsibility as to the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the content herein. The third quarterly report of the Company for the year 2004 (the "Third Quarterly Report") was prepared in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The unaudited financial statements of the Company for the Third Quarterly Report were prepared in accordance with the accounting rules and regulations of the People's Republic of China ("PRC GAAP"). Mr. Yan Zhi Qing (Chairman), Mr. Xu Jie Bo (Chief of Accounting Work, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President) and Mr. Xiao Li Xin (Chief of Accounting Department and General Manager of the Financial Department) of the Company, warrant that the Third Quarterly Report is true and complete. 2. BASIC PARTICULARS OF THE COMPANY 2.1 BASIC INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY Stock abbreviation: China Southern Stock code: 600029 (A share), 1055 (H share), ZNH (ADs) Company Secretary: Su Liang Securities Representative: Lei Bin Correspondence Address: No. 278 Ji Chang Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China Telephone: 020-86124737 Facsimile: 020-86659040 e-mail address: ir.cz@cs-air.com 2.2 FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2.2.1 Major Accounting Data and Financial Indices AS AT AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 31 DECEMBER 2004 2003 CHANGE (%) Total assets (RMB'000) 45,676,650 39,372,204 16.01 Shareholders' equity (excluding minority interests) (RMB'000) 12,091,051 11,549,849 4.69 Net assets per share (RMB) 2.76 2.64 4.69 Adjusted net assets per share (RMB) 2.70 2.59 4.24 FOR THE FOR THE PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM 1 JULY 2004 TO 1 JANUARY TO 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 2004 2004 CHANGE (%) Net cash outflow from operating activities (RMB'000) 2,052,028 3,565,661 37.04 Earnings per share (RMB) 0.048 0.124 -47.13 Return on net assets 1.76% 4.58% -50.40 Return on net assets after extraordinary gains and losses 1.70% 4.35% -52.73 AMOUNT EXTRAORDINARY (GAINS)/LOSSES (RMB'000) Net gain on disposal of fixed assets 1,941 Net gain from expired air tickets 59,561 Others -29,290 Effect of the above on taxation -4,832 --------- Total 27,380 ========= 1 2.2.2 Profit and Loss Account JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2004 JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2003 CONSOLIDATED THE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED THE COMPANY RMB'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 REVENUE FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 6,732,982 4,646,062 4,992,022 3,367,037 Less: Transfer to CAAC Infrastructure Development Fund - - - - ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- NET REVENUE FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 6,732,982 4,646,062 4,992,022 3,367,037 Less: Operating costs of principal operations 5,246,495 3,789,137 3,427,771 2,305,797 Business taxes and surcharges 189,135 124,661 14,216 12,578 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- PROFIT FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 1,297,352 732,264 1,550,035 1,048,662 Add: Profit from other operations 11,171 37,362 132,566 98,060 Less: Selling expenses 565,822 417,153 436,369 332,261 General and administration expenses 311,816 191,305 210,222 171,359 Finance expenses 100,443 78,901 360,072 338,400 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- OPERATING PROFIT 330,442 82,267 675,938 304,702 Add: Investment income 14,146 122,786 52,145 291,381 Non-operating income 21,653 19,058 2,141 1,949 Less: Non-operating expenses 12,779 4,836 8,442 5,668 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX 353,462 219,275 721,782 592,364 Less: Income tax 71,994 11,152 222,731 210,548 Minority interests 73,345 - 117,235 - ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- NET PROFIT 208,123 208,123 381,816 381,816 ============ =========== ============ =========== JANUARY - SEPTEMBER, 2004 JANUARY - SEPTEMBER, 2003 CONSOLIDATED THE COMPANY CONSOLIDATED THE COMPANY RMB'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 REVENUE FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 17,899,974 12,361,470 11,965,102 8,213,798 Less: Transfer to CAAC Infrastructure Development Fund - - 250,788 167,942 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- NET REVENUE FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 17,899,974 12,361,470 11,714,314 8,045,856 Less: Operating costs of principal operations 14,022,143 10,017,460 10,208,129 7,267,705 Business taxes and surcharges 507,387 332,318 203,518 140,178 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- PROFIT FROM PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS 3,370,444 2,011,692 1,302,667 637,973 Add: Profit from other operations 105,674 102,720 220,509 205,285 Less: Selling expenses 1,435,489 1,048,350 1,081,544 802,825 General and administration expenses 789,643 465,197 710,386 475,730 Finance expenses 431,880 356,400 814,153 746,003 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- OPERATING PROFIT 819,106 244,465 -1,082,907 -1,181,300 Add: Investment income 42,965 294,453 40,343 65,232 Non-operating income 70,002 62,666 6,818 4,559 Less: Non-operating expenses 37,790 12,288 38,675 7,459 ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX 894,283 589,296 -1,074,421 -1,118,968 Less: Income tax 160,020 48,094 -321,758 -336,027 Minority interests 193,061 - 30,278 - ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- NET PROFIT 541,202 541,202 -782,941 -782,941 ============ =========== ============ =========== 2.3 As at the end of the reporting period, the Company had a total number of 143,081 shareholders. NUMBER OF SHARES HELD AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER TYPE OF NAME OF SHAREHOLDERS 2004 SHAREHOLDER HKSCC Nominees Limited 1,151,421,998 H shares China Merchants Bank Shareholders Co., Ltd. - CITIC Classic Allocation Fund 30,530,879 A shares Yin Feng Securities Investment Fund 23,143,201 A shares The Bank of Communication - Efund 50 Index Fund 21,824,754 A shares China Construction Bank - Fortune SGAM Multi-Strategy Growth Investment Fund 18,250,687 A shares Boshi Value Growth Securities Investment Fund 18,000,000 A shares Industry and Commerce Bank of China - Galaxy Yintai Financial Management Dividends Distribution Fund 14,890,171 A shares China Bank - China AMC Return Fund 14,213,100 A shares Xin Hua Securities Investment Fund 13,880,000 A shares The Bank of Communication - Rongtong Industries Prosperity Securities Investment Fund 13,354,750 A shares 2 3. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 3.1 BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE COMPANY'S OVERALL OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD During the reporting period, the domestic aviation market benefited from the continuing steady development in China's economy and the increase in domestic consumption level, which resulted in a strong demand for air transportation. For the third quarter of 2004, our aviation transportation business maintained a good trend of growth. All production indices were higher as compared to the same period of last year. However, the sustained high fuel price, which might climb even higher, contributed to the high jet fuel costs borne by the Company. The Company's total traffic volume was 1,270.78 million tonne-kilometers, representing a growth of 26.06% over the same period of last year; passengers carried were 77,202,900, representing an increase of 24.88% from the same period last year; cargo and mail traffic amounted to 141,100 tonne, representing an increase of 16.61% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the revenues and profits from our principal operations were RMB6,732,982,000 which is an increase of 34.87% from the same period last year, and RMB1,297,352,000 which is a decrease of 16.3% from the same period last year respectively. The decrease in profits from principal operations was mainly due to the combined effect of a 60% increase of jet fuel costs as compared to the same period last year, the reduction of sales tax and the waiver of the levies of CAAC Infrastructure Development Fund in the same period of last year. As a result, the net profit for the third quarter of this year dropped by RMB381,816,000, or 45.49%, from the same period of last year to RMB208,123,000. For the period of January to September 2004, the Company's total traffic volume was 3,456.29 million tonne-kilometers, representing a growth of 39.6% over the same period of last year; passengers carried were 210,346,200, an increase of 51.1% from the same period of last year; cargo and mail traffic was 4,079,200 tonne, representing an increase of 25% over the same period of last year; passenger load factor was 69.3%, an increase of 9.9% over the same period of last year. For the period of January to September 2004, the accumulated revenues from our principal operations were RMB17,899,974,000, representing a rise of 49.6% over the same period of last year; accumulated profits from our principal operations were RMB3,370,444,000, an increase of 158.73% over the same period of last year. The net profit for the period of January to September of this year was RMB541,202,000, as compared to a net loss of RMB782,941,000 for the same period of last year. 3.1.1 Principal operations or products representing more than 10% of the income or profit from the Company's principal operations GROSS PROFIT PRINCIPLE OPERATION INCOME COSTS MARGIN (BY BUSINESS OR PRODUCT) (RMB'000) (RMB'000) (%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from passenger transportation 16,049,352 -------------------------------------------------------------- Income from cargo and mail transportation 1,673,331 14,022,143 21.66 -------------------------------------------------------------- Others 177,291 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1.2 Analysis of significant events and their impact and solutions As disclosed in an announcement of the Company dated 26 July, 2004, in order to enhance the efficiency of the Company's capital utilization and hence its investment return and profit, the Company entered into an asset management agreement with Zhong Zheng Wei Ye Investment Co., Ltd (CHINESE CHARACTERS) ("Zhong Zheng") and Centergate Securities Co., Ltd (CHINESE CHARACTERS) ("Centergate") on 22 July, 2004. Pursuant to the asset management agreement, each of the Company and Zhong Zheng jointly appointed Centergate to manage and invest an aggregate investment sum contributed as to RMB500 million by the Company and as to RMB75 million by Zhong Zheng respectively. The appointment is effective from 27 July, 2004 to 26 July, 2005. If the annual rate of return from investment is 6% or below, Centergate will not charge any assets management fee. If the annual rate of return from investment exceeds 6%, Centergate will charge an assets management fee equivalent to a sum which is less than 60% of the excess of 6% annual return from investment of the Company's capital. The Board has approved the asset management agreement by way of a written approval in accordance with the articles of association of the Company and the laws of PRC. 3.1.3 Alert on expected significant change in net profit The outbreak of SARS from April to June of 2003 in China caused an unprecedented adverse impact to the business of the Company, as a result the Company recorded an accumulated net loss for January to September of 2003. In 2004, the continued improvement in domestic economy and consumer consumption level in China stimulated the growth of the domestic civil aviation industry, therefore the total traffic volume of the Company rose as compared to the same period of last year. It is expected that the accumulated net profit of the Company for January to December 2004 will increase substantially by over 50 per cent as compared with the same period of 2003. By order of the Board CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINE COMPANY LIMITED YAN ZHI QING Director Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China October 26, 2004 As at the date of this announcement, the Directors of the Company are Yan Zhi Qing, Liu Ming Qi, Wang Chang Shun, Peng An Fa, Wang Quan Hua, Zhao Liu An, Zhou Yong Qian, Zhou Yong Jin, Xu Jie Bo and Wu Rong Nan as executive Directors and Simon To, Peter Lok, Wei Ming Hai, Wang Zhi and Sui Guang Jun as independent non-executive Directors. 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES COMPANY LIMITED By /s/ Su Liang ------------------------------------- Name: Su Liang Title: Company Secretary Date: October 28, 2004